Faithful servant leaves legacy of hope

It was a sad yet beautiful day in the cemetery around the historic Drumlane Abbey when, on February 2 last, the mortal remains of Sister Bernadette O’Reilly were laid to rest beside her father, Seamus (originally from Gartbratten, Milltown) and her infant sister Elizabeth, following a traffic accident in Nigeria earlier this year.

Sr Bernadette died in Jos University Hospital, Plateau State, on January 15 last, surrounded by two of her sisters, who had travelled from Ireland to be with her, as well as her fellow sisters of the Congregation of the Infant Jesus who lived alongside her in Bukuru.

Sr Bernadette went to Nigeria in 2003 to take up the role of head teacher in Queen of Peace Nursery and Primary school. On her arrival, there were 60 children enrolled in the school – it now has 1,003 pupils. Much loved, Sr Bernadette worked tirelessly with her dedicated staff for the education of the children and knew each of them by name. Previous to 2003, Sr Bernadette taught in Holy Spirit Girls' School in Ballymun - where she was much loved within the school and wider community. This was evident on the day of her funeral as many of her friends from Ballymun attended.

After a gruelling wait, Sr Bernadette’s family received her remains to her family home just outside Kells, Co Meath. From there she was removed to St Colmcille’s Church for the celebration of her funeral mass. The Papal Nuncio, His Excellency, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, was the main celebrant of the mass, and he urged the congregation to recognise the providential nature of several ‘coincidences’ of the day – namely that he was born a short distance away from Bukuru where Sr Bernadette lived in Nigeria, that he was baptised on ‘this very day’ 65 years ago by a priest, Fr Greg McGovern from near Bawnboy in Co Cavan, and now he was in Ireland at this time, on this day to celebrate her funeral.

His Excellency offered his sincere condolences to Sr Bernadette’s family but also inspired all present with hope when he expressed his gratitude to Bernadette’s mother Lily, revealing that through her daughter’s mission, she had sown a seed in Nigeria. The beauty of Archbishop Okolo’s remarks, the homily given by Fr John Byrne filled with assurances of hope, as well as the witness given by Sr Rebecca who related the words of Sr Maria Vitalis, describing Bernadette’s extraordinary presence and generosity, were all reflected in the abundance of colour on the altar – the sunny spring daffodils, purple hyacinths and delicate white snowdrops placed there in honour of St Brigid, seemed as though they were waiting for Bernadette, welcoming another faithful servant home.

The beautiful hymns and music (Deirdre Gilsenan and Gavin Murray, Sr Gertie) so carefully chosen by Sr Bernadette’s family, encouraged all those present to contemplate Bernadette’s mission, that she had “fought the good fight and kept the faith”; as Sr Rebecca said: “Bernadette was an extraordinary sister that travelled this part of the journey with us and now receives the crown that the lord has prepared for her.”

Following the final farewell and commendation, led by Fr Gerry Comiskey (PP Drumlane), Sr Bernadette’s coffin was accompanied out of the church to the sound of Amazing Grace, sung by a group of Nigerian singers. From there, the funeral cortége made its way to Co Cavan, where Bernadette was born and had lived for some of her childhood. A guard of honour by the pupils of Milltown NS respectfully ushered the cortège towards the stony ruins of Drumlane Abbey, a place so familiar and beloved by Bernadette.

Archbishop Okolo, Bishop Leo O’Reilly and Monsignor Liam Kelly were present at the graveside as Fr Gerry led the prayers. Sisters from the Congregation of the Infant Jesus read very poignant prayers of intercessions and recited a decade of the rosary with all present. There were many people gathered there, from Nigeria, from Ballymun, Cork, Armagh, Kells, Drumlane and other places.

As the prayers concluded Fr Gerry invited everyone to turn towards the east and reflect for a few moments on the promise of the resurrection. As those present allowed their gaze to rest on the waters of Drumlane Lake below, Bernadette’s cousin, Mairéad McAnenna, sang 'Morning has Broken' and many joined in the singing.

Bernadette’s family and friends made their way to the community centre in Milltown where their cousins and neighbours had prepared warm and welcome refreshments. Many stories were exchanged and, although Sr Bernadette’s sudden and untimely death is devastating for so many, there could be no doubt that, through her influence, so many seeds of hope, faith and love have been sown, in so many places and in so many hearts, far and near. Her mission will continue to flourish for generations to come.This is a follow-up column to the 2018 column on Charles Moore.